The Deputy PM made the statement at the sixth Inter-Ministerial Meeting (IMM6) of the Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative Against Trafficking in Persons (COMMIT), in Hanoi on November 19. The meeting brought together representatives from Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, as well as ambassadors and representatives of international organisations.

In his opening remarks, Deputy PM Son highlighted COMMIT as a key forum for law enforcement agencies in the region to assess the situation, share experiences, and agree on measures to enhance cooperation in combating human trafficking.

Vietnam’s role as the Chair of the COMMIT Initiative in 2025 and the host of IMM6 demonstrates the country’s strong commitment to regional collaboration and its contribution to strengthening friendly relations and sustainable development among GMS countries, he said.

The Deputy PM called on participants to engage in frank, comprehensive discussions to develop practical orientations and solutions, which will serve as the basis for a joint declaration and a Subregional action plan for 2025–2035. He stressed the importance of effective coordinated measures in light of the growing scale and sophistication of human trafficking crimes, particularly in the digital environment.

He also emphasised that GMS countries should enhance information sharing, provide mutual technical and resource support, and place victims at the centre of all policies and anti-trafficking activities. He affirmed that strong regional solidarity, combined with international assistance, is critical for building a stable, safe, and prosperous Greater Mekong Subregion.

He expressed his gratitude to law enforcement agencies in the region and international organisations for their continuous cooperation with Vietnam in preventing and combating human trafficking.

Receiving the heads of the delegations to the meeting on the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Son said that Vietnam regards regional cooperation in combating human trafficking as a top priority, especially as transnational crimes are becoming increasingly sophisticated and making extensive use of digital technologies. He affirmed that the Government of Vietnam will continue to strongly support existing cooperation mechanisms among the Greater Mekong Subregion countries, particularly within the COMMIT initiative.

He highly appreciated the cooperation achievements made in recent years between Vietnam and its regional partners, saying the joint efforts have contributed to curbing human trafficking, maintaining political stability, and fostering peaceful and friendly borders.

Looking ahead, he said, Vietnam encourages partner countries to sustain high-level contacts and regular exchanges of delegations; to share information and emerging tactics used by traffickers in the digital era; to coordinate in investigating and apprehending criminals fleeing across borders; and to consider organising joint regional operations against trafficking, especially among countries sharing common borders.

The Deputy PM underscored the importance of enhancing regional communication efforts to raise public awareness about trafficking risks, particularly online, thereby enabling early prevention of transnational crimes. He also highlighted the need to advance technological cooperation in digital forensics, electronic tracing and data analysis, while promoting mutual support in resources, equipment and training to build stronger law enforcement capacities.

Vietnam welcomes US objective assessment of anti-human trafficking efforts

VOV.VN - Vietnam welcomes the United States’ objective assessment of the positive results it has achieved in combating human trafficking, while expressing a desire to continue close cooperation with the US on this issue.